Wikipedia Comes to the Museum

Information via mobile scanning: The National Archives put on since September QRpedia codes

Interactive information panels: using the code system QRpedia link to exhibits with Wikipedia articles – these are called automatically in the user’s language. “Peter Weis” is the name of the Wikipedia author of the History Museum of Hamburg wants to link with the collaborative encyclopedia. The latest project of the 21-year policy designed to help students make the Wikipedia-readable texts in the museum – in as many languages as possible, by scanning.

QRpedia called for the system. It is a modification of the Wikimedia now widespread QR codes . What is special about the camera scans the user with his mobile phone or any of the tablets of his code, it is automatically routed to the corresponding Wikipedia articles on his reader in the language set as default. A Japanese museum visitors could learn about the Japanese so on Störtebecker Skull, an Italian in Italian. Background information could be made available in far more languages than on an information board to accommodate are – complemented by digital content such as photos and video.

So far, only a few museums worldwide use the QRpedia codes, such as the British National Archives (since 12 September) and the Derby Museum and Art Gallery (since April). The initial experience with the codes are mostly positive. Both museums have reported that the code be well received by tech-savvy visitors.

“A real added value”

Wikimedia activist Weis, who has been involved for almost two years for the hands-on lexicon, is convinced of the benefits of QRpedia system: “Of course, the code information boards are not completely replace,” he says. “But the museums offer a real added value, especially for foreign visitors. And the introduction of codes QRpedia costs next to nothing.” On the Internet, the codes did indeed create a mouse click .

Adds that the system QRpedia motivate museum visitors to write Wikipedia articles or translate them. “Too many objects from the local history texts do not exist yet,” said Weis. “It does not even have 30-page papers to be – want something on the phone anyway nobody read.”

Problems with the light

A couple of stumbling blocks but also the QRpedia system. Museums must the code as cleverly integrate it into their showrooms, so they do not frighten the one hand, older regular visitor, on the other hand are even noticed by the smartphone owners – and can be read without contortions.

In the Derby Museum also seeks to six months after the introduction QRpedia for the perfect location for the code. “We are still testing, which attachment and what size is ideal,” says museum staff Jonathan Wallis. Difficulties, among other things ready for lighting. “Sometimes it is not enough light in the gallery,” says Wallis. “And if you use the flash, you only get a white faded image.” According to museum information is provided in Derby currently has about 100 exhibits with codes.

Articles by experts examined

In the National Archives are now twelve objects with Wikipedia articles linked, reports press spokesman Tommy Norton. Among them was including a copy of the Declaration of Independence of the United States – to her they would get by QRpedia code the mobile version of this page to see. Before a Wikipedia article is linked, it would be examined by experts at the museum for errors, says Norton. Entirely on the wisdom of the masses want to be in Richmond that is still not left.

When the QRpedia codes could be used in Hamburg to use is still unclear. According Wikimedia activist-oriented view to a decision in the next few weeks, the Museum of Hamburg History was not to reach an opinion. Since the spring, the museum is cooperating with Wikimedia Commons , 312 image files were freely accessible to the media database uploaded .

“With the system QRpedia the museum might be a pioneer in Germany,” said Peter Weis, who advocates for implementation by year end. One must only consider well how the system could be implemented aesthetic. “In the Derby looks with the laminated codes not look as chic,” says Weis.

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